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BEACON HILL ROLL CALL

House rejects ambulance cost bill

Sentinel & Enterprise

Updated:
03/04/2013 06:30:33 AM EST

By Bob Katzen

THE HOUSE AND SENATE. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' votes on four roll calls from prior legislative sessions. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

AMBULANCE COSTS (H 55): House 33-123, rejected an amendment that would require health insurance providers to pay ambulance companies directly for their services. The measure would prohibit insurance companies from sending checks directly to the policyholder for out-of-network private ambulance rides rather than to the ambulance company. This practice of paying the policyholder directly was started in 2011 by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS).

Amendment supporters said this practice was designed to force ambulance companies to chase the consumer for payment with the ultimate goal of pressuring out-of-network ambulance companies to sign contracts with the health insurer that would force the ambulance companies to accept the insurer's reimbursement rates. They noted that some ambulance companies refuse to sign agreements with BCBS, stating that reimbursement rates are way too low.

Amendment opponents said this major policy change should not be included in the supplemental budget. They argued it should be filed as a separate bill and go through the entire committee process including public hearings.

The House and Senate both approved a similar bill in 2012 but it was vetoed by Gov.

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Deval Patrick, who said, "I am concerned about the impact of this legislation on health care costs because it lacks guidelines governing reasonable charges for ambulance services."

(A "Yes" vote is for requiring insurance companies to pay ambulance companies directly. A "No" vote is against it.)

$30 MILLION FOR DRUG SCANDAL FALLOUT (H 55): House 6-151, rejected an amendment requiring that the $30 million to pay for the fallout from the state drug lab scandal be taken from the current budget of the Department of Public Health (DPH) instead of the state's General Fund. Former state drug lab testing chemist Annie Dookhan is accused of mishandling drug samples and putting in question an estimated 34,000 drug conviction cases. The $30 million would be used to fund the additional money needed by sheriffs, shelter programs and law enforcement agencies as a result of the scandal and the investigation.

Amendment supporters said DPH is out of control and has presided over this scandal and the shuttered pharmacy at the center of the spread of fungal meningitis to more than 700 people across the nation including 48 deaths. They noted taking money from the General Fund means less money for local aid and other important programs.

Amendment opponents defended much of the good work of DPH. They argued taking the money from DPH would result in a severe health care budget shortage and a reduction in services including the closing of some hospital wards.

(A "Yes" vote is for requiring DPH to pay the $30 million. A "No" vote is against the requirement.)

CRIME LAB OVERSIGHT (H 55): House 29-126, rejected an amendment requiring the state's public safety department to investigate and determine whether each crime lab in the state is properly accredited by and meets the standards of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors. The measure also requires the state to establish a system for receiving anonymous complaints of wrongdoing at any of the crime labs.

Amendment supporters said it is time to oversee and monitor these facilities in order to prevent another state drug lab scandal.

Amendment opponents said the amendment is unnecessary because these labs are already accredited.

(A "Yes" vote is for verifying accreditation and opening an anonymous tip system. A "No" vote is against it.)

YES: Reps. Ferguson, Harrington

NO: Reps. Benson, DiNatale, Naughton, Rosa, Zlotnik

TAKE LESS MONEY FROM RAINY DAY FUND (H 55): House 6-151, rejected an amendment reducing from $550 million to $243 million the amount of money the state takes from the Rainy Day Fund to fund a supplemental budget.

Amendment supporters said the state has collected $307 million above expected tax revenues and argued that money can be used to reduce the drain on the Rainy Day Fund by that amount.

Amendment opponents said the state needs the entire $550 million to fund necessary programs and balance the books.

(A "Yes" vote is for taking only $243 million. A "No" vote is for taking $550 million.)

Of the thousands of bill filed for the 2013-2104 session, there are many that attempt to designate "something" as the state's official "something."

Sponsors of these various proposals say that the measures are often filed on behalf of students in schools as a way to teach them the legislative process. Some critics say that the perennial filing of such proposals wastes the valuable time of the Legislature, which should be dealing with real issues and serious legislation.

Here's our Top Ten favorite "officials":

OFFICIAL GROUNDHOG (no number yet): Ms. G., the popular groundhog at the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Drumlin Farm. She is the Bay State counterpart to Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil.

OFFICIAL SHELLFISH (S 1629): The quahog, a hard-shelled clam enjoyed by many seafood lovers. It also served as a form of currency for Native American tribes.

OFFICIAL TEXTILE (S 2862): Gingham. The Town of Clinton was a world leader in the manufacture of cotton gingham fabric. According to the town's website, "In 1828 the Bigelow brothers, Erastus and Horatio, started an industrial revolution that left a lasting mark on the many aspects of Clinton. Erastus, a mechanical genius, invented the power loom for manufacturing coachlace, counterpane cloths and gingham plaids. With Horatio, a marketing entrepreneur, the brothers captured a firm hold on the textile industry."

RECREATIONAL AND TEAM SPORT (S 1627): Volleyball, invented in 1895 in Holyoke by William Morgan. Legislation making basketball the official state sport was signed into law in August 2007. Many Patriots and Red Sox fans disagree with both of these designations.

HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK'S SESSION? During the week of Feb. 28-March 1, the House met for a total of 12 minutes while the Senate met for a total of six minutes.

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